The largest U.S. bank by deposits said it earned $1.59 a share on revenue of $25.8 billion. JPMorgan said it would raise its dividend to 38 cents a share from the current 30 cents, and said it repurchased $2.6 billion in common shares as a further reward for investors while planning to buy another $6 billion over the next 12 months

Analysts had expected JPMorgan Chase to report earnings excluding items of $1.39a share on $25.86billion in revenue, according to a consensus estimate from Thomson Reuters.

Shares were volatile in early trading, down about 0.4 percent most recently.

Net revenue came in at $11.6 billion, a 6 percent decrease from the same period in 2012, while net income fell from $2.9 billion to $2.6 billion.

Despite a wave of negative headlines stemming primarily from the $6 billion London Whale trading debacle as well as internal strife over whether Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon should keep both roles, the company stock has done well.

Shares are up more than 12 percent year to date, though banks have slightly underperformed the broader stock market rally.

As for his dual role with the company, Dimon said in a subsequent conference call that the decision was up to the board.

"JPMorgan Chase had a very good start to the year," Dimon said in a statement. "All our businesses had strong performance, and our client franchises did exceptionally well."

The Whale trade involved a wrong-way bet on corporate credit that cost the company more than $6 billion.

Though a huge public relations headache, impact has begun to fade.

"The problem with the Whale is JPMorgan on the trading line is going to be scrutinized not only for big losses but for big gains as well," Raymond James Bank Analyst Anthony Polini said on CNBC's "Squawk Box."

"I think if we took the combined (profit and loss statement) of the Whale, we probably would all keep the Whale and be happy with whatever we've netted from the business relationship," he added.

In his most recent letter to investors, Dimon warned that the company likely would face more corrective action from regulators in the days ahead.

The company said Friday it would address a Federal Reserve request to submit a plan addressing weaknesses in its capital planning process.

As for the core business prospects, Dimon was upbeat about prospects, noting growth across the board on belief that the economy is gaining traction, but noted slowness in loan growth.

"Small businesses remain cautious about the recovery and fiscal uncertainty, and are not investing their capital," he said. "However, companies' balance sheets are much stronger than they were before the financial crisis and small businesses remain well positioned to invest in growth once they decide to."